What It Looks Like vs. What It Is: Building Competent Diversity in National Security highlights the voices of 841 members of the #NatSecGirlSquad community and the challenges they face entering, working, promoting, and leading in the field. Through the collaborative effort of Guidehouse and #NatSecGirlSquad, with input from Dr. Natalie Todak, this study sought to gather preliminary information from a large sample of employees and prospective employees in the national security field.

Despite the potential for competent diversity to significantly contribute to the goals of the national security apparatus, there is very little research into why the representation of women and other underrepresented groups has lagged so significantly. It is our hope that this initial survey will not only provide further context for one of the most significant national security challenges of our time, but also enable and support ongoing work to address it and encourage greater collaboration going forward.